Airborne-YouTube

ANN has learned that our nation's Threat Level is
being rolled back to "Condition Yellow." We hope that means that
burdensome and often unnecessary restrictions on the aviation
world will also be rolled back as much as possible so that
free Americans can again travel our skies with the
very freedom that has (in the past) defined us as a
nation.

Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge:

"The Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the
Homeland Security Council, has lowered the national threat level
from Code Orange or high risk of terrorist attack to Code Yellow or
an elevated risk of terrorist attack.

This decision is based upon a number of factors including a
review of the intelligence and assessment of threats. The U.S.
intelligence community has also concluded that the number of
indicators and warnings that led to raising the level have
decreased and the heightened vulnerability associated with the
Memorial Day holiday has passed.

The lowering of the threat level is not a signal to government,
law enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist attack
has passed. The U.S. intelligence community remains concerned that
Al-Qaida is attempting to exploit our weaknesses and believes that
the United States and its interests are still at a significant risk
of terrorist attack.

Visible security does serve as a deterrent and for
this reason and for the safety and security of our nation, we will
continue to have security measures in place at federal facilities
and other key areas of the country. I encourage the nation's
governors, mayors and other local officials to remain vigilant
during this period of elevated level of threat.

America has significantly more security measures in place now at
Code Yellow compared to last year. More and more of our partners in
the federal, state and local governments, and the private sector
have adopted the homeland security advisory system and have
identified protective measures to strengthen security and reduce
the nation's vulnerability to terrorist attacks.

We wish to thank all federal, state and local government and
public safety officials, representatives of the private sector, and
individual citizens for your patience and resolve. Know that your
efforts are making a difference. Through this partnership, we send
a signal to those who would do us harm that America stands alert,
united, and ready."